Can-body maker



Aug. 15, 1939. M. E. wlDELL 2,159,311 Y CAN-'BODY HER Filed July 29,1958 8 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR /d' WM ATTORNEYS NNN www M. E. WIDELLAug. 15, 1939.

CAN-BODY MAKER Filed July 29, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 www N QN NN wwwINVENTQR.

BYBM a ATTORNEY Aug- 15, 1939. M. E. wlDELL 2,169,311

CAN-BODY MAKER Filed July 29, 1938 8 Sl'xeelzs--Sheei'l 5 l .E QI.

Allg. 15, 1939. M, E, w|DELL 2,169,311

CAN-BODY MAKER Filed July 29, 1958 A 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

17M ,e WM MM2/ATTORNEYS M. E. WIDELL Aug. 15, 1939.

CAN-BODY MAKER Filed July 29, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Aug. 15, 1939. M. E.wlDELL CAN-BODY MAKER lFiled July 29. 1938 a` sheets-sheet 8 v lax. v

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ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 15, 1939 CAN-BODY MAKER Y Magnus E. Widell,Cincinnati, Ohio, assigner to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a.corporation of ANew Jersey Application July 29, 1938, Serial No. 222,053

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to can body making machines and hasparticular reference to improvements in producing bre can bodies fromflat blanks which are progressively folded into can body shape in stepby step stages, the side seam edges of the blank being incorporated in aside seam bonded with a thermoplastic adhesive carried on the blank andheated to a tacky bonding condition during formation of the can body.

An object ofthe invention is the provision 4of an improved can bodymaking machine wherein flat and creased bre blanks carryingthermoplastic adhesive along at least one side seam edge are advancedalong a straight line path of travel in step by step stages through aplurality of stations at which the blank is folded by cooperating jawsand the adhesive is heated to a tacky condition in order to bond thefolded side seam edges into a tight side seam.

Another object is the provision in such a machine of cooperating wingjaws operating in pairs and in synchronism so that a can body blankafter being folded is guided by one pair of jaws during advancementwhile another pair of jaws is moving out of the way to permit entranceinto the folding station of a succeeding blank thereby effecting agreatly increased speed of operation of the machine.

Another object is the provision in a machine of this character ofimproved devices for heating the side seam flaps of the body blank andfor quickly and eiiiciently rendering the adhesive on the flaps into atacky condition.

Another object is the provision in such a body maker of devices whichprevent overheating of the adhesive on the blank edges so that theadhesive will not be burned when blanks remain at the heating stationdue to stopping of the machine.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the `following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof. 5

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a can body making machine embodyingthe instant invention, parts being broken away, the view also includinga wiring diagram of the electric circuits used to impart certainoperations in the machine;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bed of the machine with partsremoved and other parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along a verticalplane indicated by the lines 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal elevation of a side of the machine with partsbroken away;

Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sections taken sub- 5 stantially along therespective lines 5-5 and 5--6 in Fig. 4;

Fig; 7 is an end elevation as viewed from the right in Fig. 4;

Fig.' 8 is an enlarged perspective detail of a portion of the machinebed and certain parts concealed therein;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken through parts at theheating station of the machine, with parts broken away;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the brokenline Ill- I0 in4 Fig. 9;

Fig. l1 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line lI-IIin Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlargedV sectional View taken substantially along theline l2-I2 in Fig. 9;

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional details taken substantially along therespective lines |3-l3, lll-I4 and I5--I5 in Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along the lineI6--l6 in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 17 is a side elevation taken substantially along a plane indicatedby the line I'l-Il in. Fig. 16, parts being broken away and other partsbeing broken back. S0

As a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the drawingsillustrate a can body making machine in which at blanks a (Fig. 1)preferably of fibrous material are moved successively past a pluralityof working stations which form the blanks into tubular can bodies. Inthe present case the can bodies are rectangular in cross section, theforming of the bodies being eiected by folding or bending the blanksalong creases b which are produced in the blanks before the latter areintroduced into the body maker herein described. This creasing of theblanks forms no part of the present invention.

The creases preferably extend parallel with short edges c, d of theblank, these edges and the marginal portions adjacent them beingreferred to hereinafter as the side seam edges. Edge d carries a band ofdried thermoplastic adhesive e which has been previously applied bymechanism not involved herein. This band c when heated bonds the sideseam edges into a tight side seam when the edges are brought togetherduring the body forming operations.

The creased and adhesive banded blanks a are introduced into the machinein any suitable f' l manner at a blank receiving station A (Fig. 1). Theblank enters this station with its creased surface, i. e., the surfacethat will be the'interior of the body, upward and the creases extendingylongitudinally of the machine. In this relative position the blank isadvanced along a straight line path of travel. from station to stationin a step by step movement, the blank coming to a full stop at eachstation.

The first stepped movement advances the blank from the receiving stationA to a notching station B. Here the corners are cutofi of the uncoatedside seam edge c as shown at f in Fig. 1.

The next stepped movement advances the notched blank through a formingstation C. At this station the blank is folded along the two innercreases b thereby converting the fiat blank into U-shape as shown inFig. 1.

While the folded blank is maintained in this U-shape it is furtheradvanced in three stepped movements through a heating station D whichincludes an auxiliary folding station E. During passage of the blankthrough the heating station D the dried adhesive e on its side seam edged is sufficiently melted to produce a tacky condition. The blank is alsofolded at the auxiliary folding 4station E along its outer creases b andits side seam portions c, d are brought close togethenin overlappingrelation, but not touching, and with the tacky adhesive between them.

In moving out of the auxiliary folding station E the blank is advanceddirectly into a. side seam bumping station F. Here the edges of the bodyare engaged by gauge fingers which longitudinnly aign or bring intoregister the overlapping scam edges. After being aligned the seam edgesare pressed tightly together in the com- :leted side seam whichthereafter holds the body together. The body forming operation beingthus completed, the body is discharged from the machine to a suitableplace of deposit.

The various operating parts of the machine are carried on a horizontalframe II having legs I2. One end of the frame is bolted to an uprightauxiliary frame I3.

The step by step movement of the body blanks a through the machine iseffected by a feeding device which includes a pair of parallel feed barsI5 (Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8). These feed bars extend throughout the fulllength of the machine and are provided with spaced feed dogs I6. The-eed bars are carried in inverted T-shaped slideways I1 formed partiallyin the top of the frame II and partially in a plate I8 which is secured:o the frame between the feed bars. The top of the plate is flush withthe top of the frame and also with the top of the feed bars.

Each feed bar I5 is 'set inwardly for the greater portion of its lengthas best shown in Fig. 2. This brings the feed dogs in these set-inportions closer together along a transverse line so that they can betterengage the blank after it has been folded along its inner creases b ashereinbefore explained. In like manner the slideways I14 in the frame IIand the plate I8 are formed to properly guide these set-in portions ofthe feed bars.

The feed bars I5 are reciprocated in unison in the slideways I1. Forthis purpose the set-in portions of the feed bars are tied together by aspacer block 25 (Figs. 3 and 8) provided with depending lugs 26 whichare connected to one end of a link 21. The opposite end of the link isconnected to a rocker arm 28 (see also Figs. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7) which ismounted on a pivot shaft 28 carried in bearings 3| formed in theauxiliary frame I3.

Intermediate its length the rocker arm 28 is provided with a pivot pinwhich carries a bifurcated end of a pitman 36. The opposite end of thepitman surrounds an eccentric crank pin 31 carried in a pair ofeccentric discs 38 formed as la part of a transverse crank shaft 39journaled in bearings 4I disposed in the main frame II. The crank shaft39 carries a sprocket 43 which is rotated by a chain 44 taking over adriving sprocket 45. The driving sprocket is mounted on a main driveshaft 41 journaled in bearings 48 formed in the auxiliary frame I3. Thisdrive shaft is rotated by any suitable means and constitutes the mainsource of power for operating the moving parts of the machine insynchronism.

Thus the main drive shaft 41 rotates the crank shaft 39 through thesprocket and chain connection and thereby rocks the arm 28 and hencereciprocates the feed bars I5 connected therewith first on a forward orfeeding stroke and secondly on a backward or return stroke. On theforward stroke of the feed bars the feed dogs I6 engage behind a blank aintroduced into the machine at the receiving station A and advance itone step into the notching station B as hereinbefore explained.

During this travel of the blank, it slides along the top vof the mainframe and is guided bystationary guide rails 5I (Figs. l, 2 and 3). Theblank is also prevented from vertical displacement by horizontal andlongitudinal guide bars 52 which are secured to a cross-beam 53 boltedat its ends to the guide rails 5I.

At the notching station B there is provided a cutting or notching device55 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) which is located at one side of the machineadjacent the path of travel of the uncoated sideseam edge c of theblank. The notching device includes a stationary housing 56 havingspaced vertically disposed gibs 51 in which a slide 58 operates. Thehousing is bolted to the top of the frame II. The slide is formed with adie head 59 which when performing the notching operation is adapted tomove down into a suitable die 6I seated in a recess 62 formedin theframe II. It is these die members which cut off the corners ,f of theuncoated side seam edge c of the blank as hereinbefore described.

Movement of the slide 58 in its guideways 51 is effected by a cam groove64 (Fig. 4) which is formed in the inner face of a combined cam andflywheel 65 carried on the main drive shaft 41. The cam groove isprovided with a cam roller 66 (see also Fig. 6) which is carried on alever 61 mounted at its lower end on a stud 68 secured in the auxiliaryframe I3. Rotation of the iiywheel therefore rocks the lever 61 in timewith the other moving parts of the machine and' in time with theadvancement of the blanks along the top of the frame I I.

The upper end of the lever 61 is secured to a connecting rod 1I, theopposite end of which is secured to one leg of a bell crank lever 12.Lever 12 is pivotally mounted on a side of the frame II adjacent thenotching device 55. The other leg of the bell'crank lever is connectedby a link 13 to an arm 14 mounted on a short shaft 15 carried in abearing 16 (see Figs. l and 2) formed in the notching device housing 56.

Adjacent the inner end of the bearing 16 the shaft 15 carries a togglearm 18 which connects with an auxiliary toggle arm 19 disposed in arecess 8| in the diehead 58. The auxiliary toggle u arm 79 is mounted ona pin 82 carried in the head. It is this mechanism which moves the diehead 59 down into the die 6I at the proper time when a blank a ispositioned at the station B and it is then that the corner notches f areproduced.

'I'he rst folding operation performed on the notched blank, i. e., atthe forming station C, is effected by bending its outer portions,adjacent the two inner crease lines b, into parallel vertical walls(Fig. 1). 'I'he blank is bent around a stationary mandrel or forminghorn 9| and is thereupon U-shaped. This horn is square in cross-sectionwhen such a shape of the can body is being formed. In Width thereforethe horn is the same dimension as the distance between the two innercreases b of the body blank.

The forming horn 9| is located over the top of the main frame and visabove the inset portions of the feed bars I5, one end of the horn beingadjacent the notching station B, the horn extending longitudinally ofthe machine throughout the remainder of its length. The horn is spacedslightly above the top surface of the frame so that a blank in being fedfrom the notching station B into the forming station C will ride vfreelyunder the horn. Grooves 92 formed in the bottom of the horn provideclearance for the feed dogs IB.

The entrance end of the horn, i. e., the end adjacent tljle notchingstation B, is suspended from a curved bracket 93 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4)which is bolted to the main frame on one side. The horn is furthersuspended nearer its center'from a curved bracket 95 which like 'bracket93 is bolted at one side to the main frame. This manner of supportingthe horn leaves its discharge end free and unsupported so that thefinished tubular bodies may be readily removed therefrom.

The horn is maintained at an even temperature by circulating a fluidcooling medium therethrough. For this purpose the horn is provided witha pair of horizontally extending channels ||l| (Fig. 3). Adjacent thehorn supporting bracket 93 the lower channel communicates with a fluidinlet pipe |02 which is threaded into the top of the horn. The upperchannel communicates with a iiuid outlet pipe |93 which is threaded intothe horn adjacent th pipe |02.

4At the discharge end of the horn the upper and hereinbefore mentionedis preferably done by g cooperating pairs of movable jaws ||2 (Figs. 1,5 and 8) which fold the blank up and around the horn 9|. These jaws aredisposed adjacent the two opposite vertical sides of the horn andoperate within an opening ||3 formed in the top of the main frame'I'here is a jaw ||I and a jaw I|2 on each side of the horn.

The folding jaws III, ||2are loosely mounted on a horizontal pivot shaft||5 (see also Fig. 3) which is carried in bearing blocks ||6 secured toand depending from the top wall section of the main frame I l. Each jawIis provided with a toggle link ||8 which at its upper end is plvotallysecured to the jaw. The lower ends of these-two links ||8 are joined andare connected to the inner end of la cam lever |2|.

The lever |2| is loosely mounted on a pivot shaft |22 carried inbearings |23 which depend from the top wall section of the frame II. The

outer end of the cam lever |2| carries a cam rollerv |25 which operatesin a suitable cam groove formed in a face cam |26 secured to a cam.shaft cam mounted on the cam shaft |21 adjacent |21 journaled inbearings |28 formed in the main frame In a similar manner the jaws |2are provided with toggle links |3. These links connect with each otherand are secured to the inner end of 5 a cam lever |32. Lever |32 ismounted ,on the pivot shaft |22 alongside the cam lever |2|. The outerend of the lever |32 carries a cam roller |33 which operates in a .camgroove |34 of a face the face cam |25. lo

Cam shaft |21 is continuously rotated in time with the other movingparts of the machine by a bevel gear |38 (Figs. 7 and 8) which iscarried on the cam shaft. This gear meshes with a driving bevel gear |39which is mounted on the crank shaft 39. The crank shaft 39 thereforeserves as a medium of power for the cam shaft.

Thus as the cam shaft |21 rotates. the face cams |26, |35 rock thecam`levers |2I, |32 on their pivot shaft |22 and thereby, through thetoggle link connection with the folding jaws, move them toward and awayfrom the vertical side walls of the forming horn 9|.

When a notched blank a is first advanced into 25 the folding station Cboth sets of folding jaws III, ||2 are in open position and below thepath of travel of the blank along the top of the frame as shown in Fig.5. The blank is brought to rest over the top of the jaws and as the feedbars I5 move away from the blank on their return stroke, both sets ofjaws move up simultanedusly. Thejaws thus engage under the blank andfold it up around the horn 9| as hereinbefore explained. y

As soon as this folding operation is completed the first jawsimmediately return to their open position Within the frame opening ||3and below the path of travel of the blanks. The jaws |I2 remain inraised position where they hold the folded blank against the horn untilits next step movement. Thus when the feed bars l5 again move on aforward stroke and bring a new blank a into the folding station C, whilethey simultaneously advance the folded blank into the next station, thejaws I are out of the way and will not interfere with the entrance ofthe new blank.

It is only when the preceding folded blank is well advanced into thenext station, where it is retained in folded position by other elements.that the second set of jaws I I2 move down within the frame opening H3.This is done in time with the advancement of the new incoming blank sothat the jaws will be out of its path of travel by the time it reachesthem. Such cooperative action of the two sets of jaws permits quickerfeeding of blanks through the machine and also permits a maximum ofblank holding time.

The heating station D is disposed adjacent the folding station C andaccordingly the U-shaped blank when advanced from the folding station ismoved directly into the heating station. During this advancement thebent up portions of the advancing blank are held in upright positionagainst the sides of the horn by guide rails (Fig. 1) which are disposedadjacent the horn on both sides. These guide rails are preferablymounted on hinged frames |46 so that they may be swung out of the waywhen desired. TheY frames are mounted on pivot shafts |41 carried inbearings |48 (see also Figs. 2, 4 and 6) bolted to the main frame Il.

At the heating station D there is located a heating hood |5I -whichoverhangs the horn II and which receives through its upper end a heatingmedium such as hot air or the like from any suitable source of supply.This heating medium is directed against the upright portions of theblank in two successive stages thereby preheating them. The bottom ofthe hood has bolted to it a iirst stage heating or deecting plate |52(Figs. 1, 9, 10, 12 to l5) and a longitudinally coextensive second stageheating or auxiliary deflecting plate |53 (see also Figs. 16 and 17).These deflecting plates surround and abut against the horn supportingbracket 95.

Defiecting plate |52 provides heating channels |54, |55 (see Figs. 10and 12) through which the upright bent portions of the U-shaped blankpass as the latter is advanced along the horn for its Iirst stage ofheating. Channel |54 is set off by a transverse ceiling or arch wall |56which merges along one side into a depending wall section |51 and alongits opposite side into a depending wall section |58. Channel |55 is setoif by the wall section |58, a longitudinal ceiling or rib |59, and abaiile plate |60 which is secured to the side of the rib |59.

In a similar manner the auxiliary deflecting plate |53 provides heatingchannels |65, |66 (see also Figs. 10 and 16) through which the blankpasses for its second stage of heating. Channel |65 is set oi .by atransverse ceiling or arch wall,

|68 which merges along one side into a depend'- lng wall section |69 andalong its opposite side by a thickened and curved bottom rib |10.Channel |66 is set off by the curved bottom of the rib |10 and anadjacent depending wall section |1|.

Near the outer end of the auxiliary detlecting plate. |53 the channelceiling walls |68, |10 slope downwardly into a bottom wall |12 whichmerges into an outer end Wall |13 of the plate. This end portion of theplate is divided off by inner walls |14 and is enclosed by a cover |15thus providing a small heating chamber |16.

Hot air from the hood |5| is admitted into the heating channels |54, |55of the deflecting plate and channels |65, |66 and chamber |16 of theauxiliary deflecting plate by slide valves which are carried in theplates. Heating channel |54 is served by a slide valve |8| (Figs. 10, 12and 15) which slides in a groove |82 formed in the depending wallsection |51. 'Ihe valve is provided with a plurality of vertical flutes|84 which communicate with the interior of the hood.

Under normal operation of the machine as when blanks a are advancingalong'the horn 9| the iiutes |84 of the slide valve |8| are in registerwith spaced ports |85 which are formed in the depending wall section|51. These ports are adjacent the path of travel of the uncoated bent-upportion of the U-shaped blank a and thus direct the heating mediumagainst this portion of the blank as the latter advances through theheating station.

In this first preheating stage the adhesive coated bent-up portion ofthe advancing blank -passes through the channel |55. This channel isserved by a slide valve |88 which is carried in a groove |89 formed inthe depending wall section |58. This valve is also provided With Iiutes|9| (see also Fig. 14) which register with spaced ports |92 arranged ina horizontal row and formed in the side of the Wall'section |58. Undernormal operating conditions of the machine, the heating medium from hood|5| also passes through the flutes |9| and ports |02 and therebyimpinges against the adhesive e on the passing blanks.

If for any reason the machine stops operating while blanks a are passingthrough the heating station provision is made for shifting the slidevalves into port closing position so that the heating medium will be cutoif. This prevents burning of the adhesive.

Shifting of the slide valve |8| moves its flutes into a position betweenthe spaced ports |85 thereby completely cutting oif the heat. Shiftingof valve |88 also moves its flutes into a position between its spacedports |92 so that they are closed but in this position of the flutesthey come into register with a second horizontal row of spaced ports |95formed in the side of the depending wall section |58. These ports |95direct the hot air over the topof the upright coated edge of the blank.The by-passed air strikes against the baille plate |60 and thus escapeswithout impinging against the adhesive e.

Shifting of both slide valves I8 l |88 is in unison and is effected by arack and segment connection. The valves are provided with rack teeth |96(Figs. 14 and l5) cut in the top edges thereof. These teeth are at alltimes in engagement withsimilar teeth |91 formed in depending segmentarms |98 of a shift lever |99. There are two of these segment arms |98,one for each slide valve.

The shift lever |99 is rocked only when the machine starts or stops, thelever being mounted on a pivot pin 20| carried in bearings 202 formed inopposite side walls of the hood |5i. A single upright arm 2030i thelever is connected to a clevis 204 of a link 205 the opposite end ofwhich is attached to a depending leg of a bell crank lever 206.

The bell crank lever 206 is mounted on a pivot pin 201 carried inbearings 208 formed in a bracket 209 bolted to the end of the hood |5|at the left as viewed in Figs. 9 and 10. A laterally extending leg 2|2of the bell crank lever is connected to the lower end of a verticallydisposed movable core 2I3 normally held retracted within a solenoid 2|4mounted on a bracket 2|5 (Fig. l) secured tothe hood |,5|. The core ismaintained under pressure of a compression spring located inside thesolenoid, the tension of said spring tending to project the coreoutwardly from the solenoid.

'Solenoid'2l4 is preferably connected into a power line supplyingelectric energy to an electric motor which constitutes the main drivingpower of the machine and which drives the main shaft 41, the latterbeing connected with the motor in any suitable manner. In the Wiringdiagram illustrated in Fig. 1 this electric motor isindicated by thenumeral 220. One terminal of the motor is connected by a lead wire 22|to the solenoid 2| 4. The other terminal of the motor is joined by aWire 222 to a service Switch or button start and stop switch 223 whichin turn is connected by a wire 224 to a suitable source of electricenergy such as Aa generator 225. The generator is also connected by aWire 22E to the solenoid 2|4.

When the switch 223 is closed the motor circuit is complete and energyfrom the generator 225 excites the motor 220 which in turn rotates themachine driving shaft 41. The energy flowing along the completed circuitalso energizes the solenoid and this energy acting on the solenoid core2|3 draws and maintains the latter in retracted position within thesolenoid. Thus the 75 municate with the not air nood |51.

core, through the linkage connecting with the slide valves |8|, |88maintains the latter in their normally open position.

When the machine is stopped for any reason the motor circuit is brokenand the solenoid 2|4 is thus deenergized. Hence the compression springwithin the solenoid depresses the core 2 i3 and thus shifts the slidevalves. l8|, |88 into their closed position as hereinbefore described.

Returning now to the second heating stage of the U-shaped blank itshould be understood that this stage of heating takes place while theblank, is passing under theY auxiliary defiecting plate |53. 'Iheuncoated upright portion of the blank passing through the channel (Figs.1() and 16) is heated by hot air admitted into the channel throughspaced ports 23| which are formed in the depending wall section |69 ofthe auxiliary deflecting plate |53. These ports register with verticalutes 232 of a slide valve 233 when the latter is in its normal position.The iiutes com- This slide valve 233 is similar to the slide valve |8|and in like manner slides in a groove 234 formed in the depending wallsection |69 of the auxiliary deflecting plate |53.

In similar manner the adhesive coated upright portion of the U-shapedblank passes through channel |66. Hot air is admitted into this channelby way of a slide valve 231 which slides ina groove 238 formed in theceiling wail |18 of the auxiliary deecting plate |53. The valve isprovided with vertical holes 24| which at their upper end communicatewith the hood i5|. vit their lower end, when the valve is in its normalposition, the vertical holes 24| register with. vertical spaced ports2&2 formed in the bottom of the ceiling wall |18. Hot air isthusdirected straight down onto the coated portion of the blank.

When the machine stops operating the slide valves 233, 231 are shiftedinto port closing position in unison with the two previously mentionedfirst stage slide valves |8|, i88. Valve 233 moves into a position whereits utes 232 are between the spaced ports 23|thereby completely closingoff the latter. Valve 231 also moves'its holes 24| into a position4between its ports 242 so that the latter are closed oil.

Provision is made however for permitting the hot air to escape throughthe valve 231. This is effected by Way of horizontal and spaced escapeports 245 (see also Fig. 17) which are formed in the outer side portionof the ceiling Wall |18. 'These escape ports register with horizontalbores 248 which are formed in the outer side of the valve 231 and whichcommunicate with its vertical hoies 2M. Hence when the valve is inclosed position the heated air escapes through the side oi the auxiliarydeiiecting plate so that the adhesiveon the blank will not be burned.

Shifting of the second stage slide valves 233, is done in an identicalmanner as described for the -lrst stage slide valve |8I, |88. This isbrought about by a rock lever 25| (see also Fig. 9) `which is mounted ona pivot shaft 252 car.- ried in bearings 253 formed in opposite sides ofthe heating hood i5 l. The lever is provided with two dependingsegmentarms 254 having rack teeth 255 which mesh with rack teeth 256 formed :inthe top edges of each of the valves. The rock lever 25| is also providedwith a single upper arm 251 which is connected by a link 258 to the rststage link 205 and its clevis 204. The rock lever 25| and its slidevalves 233, 231 thus' move in time with the lever |99 and its valves|8|, |88 and is controlled by the same solenoid 2|4.

Near the end of the second stage of heating and while the blank is-still under the hood 1| 5|, its luicoated andcoated edge portions c, dare folded down over the top of the horn 9| and into overlappingrelation. This is done at the auxillary folding station E. This foldingbrings the U-shaped blank into the desired rectangular form of the bodybeing produced.

The uncoated edge portion c is rst folded into horizontal position.This'is brought about by a stationary plate cam 26| (Fig. 1) whichoverhangs the horn 9| and which is secured to one of the blank guiderails |45 (see Fig. 4). The overhanging portion of the cam is formedWith a sloping cam surface 262. As the blank advances along the horn itengages against the cam surface and is thereby turned down against thetop of the horn (-see also Fig. 16) and under the cam. This folds theblank along the adjacent outer crease line b.

After the uncbated edge portion c has thus been brought d'own intoplace, the opposite and now heated or tacky adhesive coated edge portiond is folded over at an angle along its adjacent outer crease line b (eFig. 16). This folding is accomplished by a stationary plate cam 286(Fig. 1) which is secured to its adjacent blank guide rail (145. The camis provided with a cam surface 265 which overhangs the horn and which isengaged by the moving blank as it advances along the horn.

During this folding and overlapping of the blank edges c, d the blank ispassing under the heating chamber S1 (Fig. 16) of the auxiliarydeilecting plate |53 and is still receiving a cur- 'rent of hot air. Theexterior surface of the angularly disposed edge portion d receives heatfrom the ports 242. Other ports 281 (see also Fig. 10) formed. in thebottom ywall |12 which encloses the heating chamber, deflect heated airunder the angularly disposed edge portion d of the blank and alsoagainst the turned down edge portion c. These ports 261 are disped at anangle in the bottom Wall |12 and transmit air received in the chamberfrom the ports 23| adjacent the slide valve 233. 'I'his completes theheating and folding of the blank.

On the next forward movement of the feed bars i5 the heated and foldedblank is advanced into the bumping station F Where the side seam edgesc, are brought into longitudinal alignment and are then squeezedtogether in a tight side seam. This is done while the adhesive on theblank is still tacky so that a strong side seam results.

Alignment of the side seam edges is effected by a pair of swinging gaugefingers 21! (Figs. l, 2 and 6) which are located, one on each side ofthe horn Si and in close proximity thereto. Each drager ls mounted on arocker pin 212 carried in bearings 213 'formed in a cross web 214 of theauxiliary frame i3. At its upper end each rocker pin carries a bevelgear 218 which meshes with a bevel gear 211 mounted on a transverserocker shaft 218. The rocker shaftis carried in bearings 219 formed inthe frame web 214.

One end vof therocker shaft 218 projects beyond the side of theauxiliary frame and carries an arm 28| having a bifurcatedend 282 inwhich a block 283 is supported on trunnions 284. Arm 28| is yieldablyconnected by a link 286 to the outer end of a cam leverv 281. The camlever is carried on a pivot pin 288 secured in a boss 289 of theauxiliary frame I3. The upper end of the link 28B extends through a holein the block 283.

The yieldable connection is provided by a comf pression spring 29| whichsurrounds the link and which is held in place by a collar 292 on thelink. The upper end of the spring abuts against the block 283 and forcesit against a locknut 294 threaded on the end of the link. The arm 28|and the cam lever 281 are moved in unison by a cam roller 296 carried onthe cam arm and operating in a cam groove 291 of a cam 298 mounted onthe main drive shaft 41.

Thus as the cam 298 rotates, it shifts the linkage connecting with therocker shaft 218 and hence rocks the latter and the gauge fingers 21| intime with the advancement of the blanks a along the horn 9|. When theblank rst enters the bumping station F the ngers are open or in swungback position so that they will not interfere with the passage of theblank. When the blank comes to rest at the bumping station the ingersfollow in after it and engage against and push the side seam edges c, dinto longitudinal register with each other vso that the end of the body,produced from the blank, will Ibe even and straight.

Hot air is blown on the heated adhesive on the blank edge d while theblank is at this bumping station so that the adhesive will be maintainedin a tacky condition. This air is preferably received from the heatinghood I5I and is conducted through a conduit 30| (Figs. 1, 4, 10 and l1)one end of which connects with the hood. The opposite end widens outinto a nozzle 302 which extends into close association with theangularly disposed blank edge d before it is bumped down.

While the side seam edges of the blank are held in register they arebumped or squeezed into tight engagement with each other. This is doneby a vertically movable hammer 3I| (Figs. 3 and 7) which is located overthe forming horn 9| just above the angularly disposed edge portion d ofa blank at rest on the horn. The hammer is preferably cooled by a uidcooling medium which is circulated through a channel 3|2 formed therein.Circulation of the cooling medium is maintained through an inlet pipe3|4 and an outlet pipe 3I5 threaded into the hammer and communicatingwith the channel.

The hammer 3| I is provided with an upwardlyl extending stem 3|1 whichslides in a guideway 3|8 formed in a housing 3I9 secured to the web 214of the auxiliary frame I3. The stem is connected to a lower toggle link32| which in turn is connected to an upper toggle link arm 322 Y of abell crank lever 323. This bell crank lever is pivotally mounted on ablock 324 which slides above the hammer stem 3|1 in the guideway 3I8.

The block isl provided with a vertical shank 325 which extends upthrough a top web 326 of the auxiliary frame I3. The shank extends abovethe web`and is held in position by a nut 321 which is threaded onto theshank end. A compression spring 328 surrounds the shank and ls disposedbetween a collar 329 formed on the shankand the block 324 and thusmaintains the latternnder a desired pressure. 'Ihe pressure may bechanged as desired by adjustment of the nut 321.

Actuation of the hammer 3I| in time with the other moving parts of themachine is eiected by cam action through a train of links and leversconnecting with an arm 332 of the bell Crank lever 323. The outer end ofthe arm is connected to a link 333 which also connects with an arm 334of a bell crank 325. The bell crank 335 is mounted on a short shaft331carried in bearings 338 formed in an extension 339 of the auxiliaryframe I3.

A second arm 34| of the bell crank 335 carries a cam roller 342 whichoperates in a cam groove 343 of a face cam 344. The cam is mounted onthe main, drive shaft 41.

Thus the cam 344 through the bell crank 335, the link 333 and the togglelinks 32|, 322 forces the hammer 3| down onto the angularly disposededge portion d of the blank and presses it tightly against the oppositeedge portion e. The heated and tacky adhesive e carried von the edgeportion d thus forms a bond between the pressed together seam parts,uniting them into a tight side seam as hereinbefore explained.

During this bumping of the side seam' edges the horn 9| is additionallysupported from below by a vertically movable anvil 35| (Fig. 3). Theanvil is provided with a square shank 352 which slides in a guideway 353formed in the frame extension 339. This shank is connected by a link 354to a third arm 355 of the bell crank 335.

Accordingly when the bell crank 335 rocks, in actuating the hammer 3II,it also moves the anvil upward against the bottom of the horn 9| andthus takes the thrust of the seam bumping action. brackets .93, frombearing the full force of the seam bumping load.

Bumping of the side seam completes the forming of the blank a into a canbody. The body is thereafter pushed oif the end of the horn 9| on thenext stepped movement of the feed bars I5 and is discharged to anysuitable place of deposit.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacricing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a can body making machine, the combination of feeding devices foradvancing can body blanks along a predetermined path of travel throughthe machine, a forming. horn disposed adjacent the path of travel ofsaid blanks, cooperating pairs of movable instrumentalities locatedadjacent said horn on each side thereof for pressing said blank againstthe sides of said horn, means for operating said movableinstrumentalities in unisonwhen pressing the blank against the horn andfor operating them independently thereafter while the blank is advancedalong the horn so that one pair of instrumentalities will guide theblank during advancement while the other instrumentalities are movingback out of the Way of the next following blank, and means for unitingside seam edges of the blank into a side seam.

2. In a machine for making fibre can bodies from flat blanks having sideseam edges one of which is provided with an adhesive, the combination offeeding devices for the blanks, a horn around which the blanks areformed, cooperating pairs of movable jaws adapted to engage under theblank and fold and press it into U-shape around the horn, devices foroperating said jaws in unison when pressing the blank This relieves thehorn supporting areaal:

against the horn and for operating them inde-f,

pendently thereafter so that onepair of jaws will retain the blank inits folded shape and guide it during its advancement while the otherjaws recede out of theway of the next following unfolded blank, meansfor further bending the blank along its side seam edges to bring theminto overlapping relation, and a bumping element for squeezing togetherthe side seam edges of the blank so that the adhesive thereon will bondthem together in a tight side seam..

3. lin a machine for making bre can bodies from nat blanks having sideseam edges one of which is provided with an adhesive, a horn aroundwhich the blanks are formed, cooperating pairs of movable jaws adaptedto engage under the blank and fold and press it into U-shape around thehorn, means for operating said jaws in unison when pressing the blankagainst the horn and for operating them independently thereafter so thatone pair of jaws will retain the bla-nk in its folded shape and guide itduring its advancement While the other jaws recede out of the way of thenext following unfolded blank, means for further bending the blank alongits side seam edges to bring them into overlapping relation, memberslocated adjacent said horn for longitudinally aligning the bent sideseam edges of the blank, and a bumping element for squeezing togetherthe side seam edges of the blank so that the adhesive thereon will bondthem together in a tight side seam.

fi. in a machine for making fibre can bodies from fiat blanks havingside seam edges one of which is provided with a dried adhesive, thecombination of feeding devices for the blanks, a horn around which theblanks are formed, cooperating pairs of movable jaws adapted to engageunder the blank and fold and press it into U-shape around the horn,means for operating said jaws in unisony when pressing the blank againstthe horn and for operating them independently thereafter so that onepair of jaws will retain the blank in its folded shape and guide itduring its advancement while the other jaws recede out of the way of thenext following unfolded blank, devices for heating the side seam edgesof said blank to render the adhesive thereon tacky, means for furtherbending the blank along its side seam edges to bring them intooverlapping relation, and a bumping element for squeezing together theside seam edges of the blank so that the heated' and tacky adhesivethereon will bond them together in a tight side seam.

5. In a machine for making' nbre can bodies from dat blanks having sideseam edges one of which is provided with a thermoplastic adhesive,thecombination of a forming horn, feeding devices for advancing theblanks in succession in ,e

for reshifting said valves into port opening pom a step by step.movement along said horn, movablejaws forengaging under a blank and forbending it into U-shape around said horn, heating devices adjacent saidhorn for preheating the upright portions of the folded blank, whichportions include the side seam edges, means for bending the heated sideseam edges of the blank over the top of the horn and into overlappingrelation, and a bumping element for securing said heated seam edgestogether to provide a tight side seam.

v6. In a machine for making fibre can bodies from dat blanks having sideseam edges one of which is provided with a thermoplastic adhesive, thecombination of a forming horn, feeding devices for advancing the blanksin succession in c a step by step movement along said horn, movable jawsfor engaging under a blank and for bending it into U-shape around saidhorn, heating devices adjacent said horn for preheating the uprightportions of the folded blank which por- -tions include the side seamedges,l means for bending the heated side seam edges of the blank overthe top of the horn. and into overlapping relation, a bumping elementfor Vsecuring said heated seam edges together to provide a tight sideseam therealong, and devices disposed adjacent said bumping element forfinally heating the adhesive on the overlapping side seam edges so thatthe adhesive will be in a tacky condition during the bumping operation.

7. In a machine for making bre can bodies from flat blanks having sideseam edges one of which is provided with a thermoplastic adhesive, thecombination of a forming horn, feeding devices for advancing the blanksin succession in a step by step movement along said horn, movable jawsfor engaging under a blank and for bending it into U-shape around saidhorn, heating devices adjacent said horn for preheating the uprightportions of the folded blank, which portions include the side seamedges, means for bending the heated side seam edges of the blank overthe top of the horn andinto overlapping relation, devices for cutting 0Ethe heat from said heating devices when the machine stops operating sothat the adhesive will not be burned on blanks left under said heatingdevices, and a bumping element for securing said heated seam edgestogether to provide a-tight side seam.

8; In a machine for making fibre can bodies from flat blanks having sideseam edges one of which is provided with a thermoplastic adhesive, thecombination of feeding devices for the blanks, instrumentalities forbending said blank into a U-shape, a heating hood disposed over the pathof travel of said blanks, heat deiiecting devices adjacent the bottom ofsaid hood and having longitudinal channels through which the uprightportions including the side seam edges pass while being advanced, slidevalves in said deflecting devices and movable into register with portsalso in said defiecting devices for directing heat from said heatinghood against the side seam edges of saidadvancing blank to preheat theedges and to bring adhesive into a tacky condition, means for shiftingsaid slide valves intoport closing position when the machine stops'operating and sition when the machine is in operation, devices forbending the heated side seam edges into overlapping relation, and abumping elementA for securing said overlapped edges together to producea side seam tightly bonded by the tacky adhesive. v

MAGNUS E. `W1DE LL.

